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Perfect gifts for people who need more sleep

Posted on by lionel

In an ideal world, we should spend one third of our lives sleeping, but for many people eight hours of sleep each night is out of reach. Whether its because of long work hours, insomnia, small kids, or just too much stress, chances are we know and love at least one person who needs more sleep. So, this year, give that person the gift of sleep.

Whether your budget is big or small, you should find something here for the sleep lover in your life –

Gifts for better sleep

  • Calming herbal teas. Did you know that sipping a cup of herbal tea before bedtime could help you sleep better? Peppermint tea and camomile tea are said to help calm anxiety. You will find a selection of calming blends in the tea aisle at your local grocery store or visit any of the upmarket tea stores popping up in many shopping centres. If your sleep lover is also a tea lover, put together a pretty box with a selection of calming teas.
  • Bath fizz balls. A bath before bedtime helps to calm the mind and prepare the body for sleep. Good quality fizz balls, also known as bath bombs, will soften and cleanse the skin and usually have aromatherapy benefits too. We love the Fizz Stardust bath bomb from Rain Natural Skincare, for R65.
  • Eye pillow. Also known as a dream pillows, this is a little pouch filled with various soothing ingredients like flax seed and aromatherapy oils, which you place over your eyes and forehead for a deeper sleep. The Earthway Infusions Eyepillow has lavender essential oil in it, which is known for its calming properties. Get it for R77 from Faithful to Nature.
  • Play dough stress ball. Who says play dough is just for kids?! (Although this is a great gift idea for children too.) When you play with an aromatherapy play dough ball, you engage your senses of smell and touch. It’s great for calming stress and anxiety before bed. Aromadough has a whole range of aromatherapy play dough balls, but when it comes to a good night’s sleep, we recommend the Festive Sleep Stress Ball (R95) which has sweet orange, neroli and lavender essential oils.
  • Pillow. Most people underestimate the value of a good pillow when it comes to good quality sleep. We manufacture a range of Sealy pillows, including our innovative Gel pillows. There’s the My Coolsmart Gel Pillow, which has a refreshing gel layer that reduces heat buildup, and the My Gel Pillow, which is made with gel-infused memory foam. Both pillows are made with adaptive memory foam and covered with Tencel material, which provides good moisture control and is naturally breathable and cool.
  • Weighted blanket. Imagine wrapping yourself in a blanket and feeling as though you’re getting a big hug. That is what weighted blankets do. Weighted blankets are heavier than normal blankets because they are filled with a heavier material, such as pellets. They help to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety and insomnia. Weighted blankets from Pretty Special come in toddler, child, adult and extra-large sizes and range in price from R600 to R1500.
  • Himalayan salt lamp. These lamps are said to help boost mood, improve sleep, ease allergies and clean the air, however there is little scientific proof to support those claims. If they are true – bonus – if not, at the very least a Himalayan Salt Lamp will soften the lighting in a room, which helps encourage a more relaxed mood. These are fairly easy to find. Salty Sistas has a great collection, ranging from R250 to R2450.

 

The ultimate gift for people who need more sleep: A new bed

If you’re looking for a long-term investment that will reap rewards for many years to come, then consider investing in a new bed this year. Sleep is an important factor of a healthy lifestyle but unfortunately most people sleep on a mattress past its expiration date or to have a low-quality mattress to begin with. Having the right mattress can make all the difference with feeling more energetic, as well as keeping you healthy.

Through constant research and development, and collaboration and studies with orthopaedic surgeons all over the world, the Sealy team has established the best ‘criteria’ for optimal sleep. Building upon the recommendations of these world class orthopaedic surgeons, Sealy constructs mattresses with unique spring systems for body support, topped with foam and comfort layers with pressure relieving properties – meaning the body is in its natural position to fully relieve muscular tension. This is known today as Sealy’s exclusive Posturepedic Technology™, which targets the heaviest part of your body, with reinforced support where you need it most. Only Sealy with exclusive Posturepedic Technology™ mattresses give you deep-down push back support for exceptional all-over comfort.

Sealy Posturepedic Technology™ supports your sleep by providing:

  • Pressure relieving comfort for undisturbed sleep: from Ultra-Plush to Extra-Firm, built with premium materials.
  • The support you need: deep-down orthopedically correct push-back spring system, surrounded with a superior edge support system.
  • A system where everything works together to give you the same great comfort and support for a long time: extra durability that repays your investment day after day.

 

 

 

Three foods that boost your immune system AND improve your sleep

Posted on by lionel

Now more than ever it’s important to keep your immune system in good shape. In addition to washing your hands frequently, getting enough exercise and managing stress better, the foods you eat and the quality of your sleep can also positively impact your immune system.

Sleep and the immune system are deeply connected, and the quality and quantity of sleep has a direct effect on your immune system. Your immune system works at its best when you receive the necessary quantity and quality of sleep, which is usually around 7 to 8 hours per day.

Below are three foods that not only boost your immune system, but also help you get better sleep:

  • Fruits high in Vitamin C

Your body doesn’t store Vitamin C so be sure to get your daily dose from citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwis and red peppers. Vitamin C helps your body create virus-fighting antibodies, and studies have shown that people with higher levels of vitamin C have better sleep health than those with lower levels.

Kiwis are full of serotonin – the happy chemical – and when your brain builds up stores of serotonin, you can sleep better.

  • Almonds and other nuts

Tree nuts reduce inflammation and the stress hormone, cortisol. When you stress less, you sleep better! Nuts are also high in protein, which is essential for T-cell function. T-cells protect the body against pathogens.

If youre looking for a late night snack, choose pistachios, almonds or walnuts because they contain more melatonin, a hormone which plays a role in your natural sleep-wake cycle.

  • Plain Greek yoghurt

Plain Greek yoghurt contains calcium, probiotics, iodine, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. More and more studies are reporting that Covid-19 patients who have adequate Vitamin D in their system have a more than 50% higher chance of recovering from the illness. People with high levels of Vitamin D also sleep better.

When is the right time to eat for better sleep?

You may have learned that snacking close to bedtime is bad, but there is more to it. The latest science reveals that what you eat for dinner and when you eat also makes a huge difference to your sleep.

Consuming carbohydrates with a high glycemic index four hours before bedtime, such as white rice and pasta, could reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Research by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition explains that this is because carbohydrates could increase the level of serotonin in your body, which is known as a “wellness chemical” with sleep-inducing effects.

In addition, pay attention to these tips:

  • Don’t eat too much or too little so that hunger and indigestion keep you awake
  • Eat predominantly easily digestible carbohydrates, and not too much fat
  • Avoid stimulating food or drinks, such as chilli and coffee

Your best sleep partner – A comfortable mattress

Of course, when it comes to sleep and your immune system, if you have an old, lumpy mattress it doesn’t matter what foods you eat – nothing can outsmart an uncomfortable mattress. If your mattress is more than eight years old, or if you’re waking up tired with aches and pains, it’s time to consider investing in your sleep with a new Sealy mattress. Nothing says you’re committed to better health more than replacing your old mattress with a new, comfortable bed developed in cooperation with orthopaedic surgeons.

Sealy mattresses take style and comfort to the next level with a grey and black colour palette, premium design elements and state-of-the art engineering. All Sealy mattresses are made with Sealy Posturepedic Technology, which is proven to deliver support and comfort, providing back and body alignment to ensure a comfortable, healthy night’s sleep.

 

 

 

Mattress shopping this Black Friday? Check out these tips

Posted on by lionel

Every year, people  jump in their car and head to one of the craziest but cheapest days of the year, Black Friday. This year will definitely look a little different. If anything could stop the madness of Black Friday, it would be a world pandemic.

With Coronavirus hitting us at the beginning of the year and still showing its effects today, many of us are staying indoors. Yet, some restrictions have somewhat been lifted, allowing for Black Friday to possibly continue on as it has in previous years. However, the factors we need to keep in mind this year are not only our physical safety but our health safety too.

Going out and buying a cheap refrigerator or snagging a blender that’s 50% off is one thing, but heading to the store and walking away with Covid-19 is another. So how can communities make this work?

It’s vital to remember that just like every other day, stores will have limited restrictions on who enters. You won’t be able to shove through those front doors but will have to go back to your primary school days where you needed to practice patience and line up to wait for your turn. For your entire shopping experience, wearing a mask and practicing social distancing will be of the utmost importance. Masks will most definitely need to be worn inside the store, but while waiting in line, it’s a great idea to start your safety precautions there. The same goes with social distancing, keeping two metres distance from yourself and the person in front and behind you can lower the risks of spreading the virus.

In saying this, many stores will be encouraging their online sales this year. If you aren’t an avid online shopper, here are some tips to help you get the best deals and practice safe shopping.

Keep cybersecurity top of mind

An online sale often requires you to act quickly, especially on Black Friday, but don’t unnecessarily open yourself up to risk. Make sure the website you’re purchasing from is secure by checking the website address in your browser. There should be an “https” at the start of the website address. The “s” means the site is secure and your data is safe, so avoid shopping on any sites that don’t have the “s”. Click here to read more online safety tips.

Practice beforehand and create accounts

It may sound kind of silly, but if you haven’t been shopping online before, it could be a little tricky for you. To help with this, you can practice beforehand. Head to some of your favourite stores online, which will most likely have “create an account” options available for you, and practice putting items into your shopping cart. Creating the accounts will make shopping easier on Black Friday and practicing shopping may help lessen the stress of the unknown.

Stick to brands and stores you know

Trust remains a crucial issue online and while some sites may say they have 90% off, that doesn’t always mean the site is trustworthy. If you are new to this, stick to the brands and stores you know and love. If you want to step outside of the box, make sure to carry out your research beforehand so you don’t end up being scammed.

Click on this link to quickly access some of the retailers selling Sealy beds online.

Research the products you want

Every so often we get so caught up in the madness that we don’t actually purchase products that are of good quality or that we need. While being online anyway, do some research on what you are buying to make sure you are receiving exactly what you need.  It’s helpful to look for reviews, to see what other customers have said about the product.

If you’re buying a mattress online, make sure you know your preferences beforehand (if you like a firm or soft bed, how much support you need, etc.).

Stores selling the same products

Being Black Friday, the chance of websites crashing and products selling out is reasonably high. You can attempt to avoid this by listing the stores that have the products you are looking for. With this, if one store doesn’t have the ability to handle the influx of customers or have run out of the product, you can quickly jump to the next store.

*Bonus tip: leave tabs open on your internet browser with the various online stores so you can quickly jump over to the next one. 

Wishlist

Often online stores allow you to create wishlists. This means you can highlight the products that you want and keep them in a little list attached to your account. Once the prices drop, instead of stressing about time and going through every product on sale, you can simply go to your wishlist and add the items to your cart to check out.

Is it really on sale?

Often we can get so frantic while doing something as fast as we can that we don’t realise that we may not actually be getting a deal. If something is on sale, it can look great! But if that sale is only 15% off instead of 80-90%, then that deal may not actually be worth it at all. Make sure to check what the price is beforehand, and then what the sale price is to make sure you are really getting the bargain you were hoping for.

Black Friday will ultimately look different this year, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to dive into some great bargains. If heading out to take on the stores is something you want to do or have to do, please make sure to take proper precautions to not only keep yourself safe but keep others safe too. For those online shoppers, take the steps above to make your online shopping experience cheaper, safer and a little less stressful. We hope you are able to find the bargains you need. Happy shopping!

Baby cot: create a safe sleep environment

Posted on by lionel

Keeping your baby’s sleeping environment safe is one of the biggest concerns that new and expecting parents have. The general recommendations are to keep your baby cot free of any kind of object, place your infant in a safe sleeping position and pay attention to the softness of the sleep surface.

In this post, we discuss the best ways to keep your baby’s sleeping environment safe so that you can sleep easy. We’ll outline safe sleeping positions, how to dress your baby for certain temperatures, as well as the importance of a high-quality cot mattress.

Remove toys from the baby cot

Toys, blankets, and comforters – no matter how small – can pose a risk of suffocation to babies. Keep your baby cot a toy-free zone and keep comforters for use during the day when you can watch your little one.

Dress your baby for the temperature of the room as opposed to using blankets – see below for guidelines.

Keep the room cool

It’s recommended that your baby sleeps in an environment of between 20-22 degrees as a way to reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). As it’s not always easy to control the heat of a room, here are a few guidelines for how to dress your baby depending on the temperature:

 

Room temperature How to dress your baby
27+ degrees Nappy
26 degrees Short-sleeve bodysuit
24-25 degrees Short-sleeve bodysuit + sleeping bag
22-23 degrees Sleepsuit + sleeping bag
20-21 degrees Short-sleeve bodysuit + sleepsuit + sleeping bag
18-19 degrees Long-sleeve bodysuit + sleepsuit + sleeping bag
16-17 degrees Long-sleeve bodysuit + sleepsuit + sleeping bag + socks
Below 16 degrees Long-sleeve bodysuit + sleepsuit + sleeping bag + hat + socks + gloves

 

To easily check the temperature of your little one’s room and dress them accordingly, you could invest in a nursery room thermometer.

Buy a high-quality cot mattress

A high-quality mattress is crucial for creating a safe sleep environment for your baby. Sealy cot mattresses are hypoallergenic and provide the perfect support for your baby’s growing body. Each mattress comes with a mattress protector to keep it safe from all of those baby spills!

Place them on their back to sleep

Placing your baby on their back to sleep is an important way to keep their airways clear during the night. Sleeping in this position can dramatically reduce the risk of SIDS.

This position is recommended for the first year of life but is particularly important during the first six months. Even when placing your baby on his/her back to sleep, avoid placing them on soft surfaces as these can pose a suffocation hazard.

Keep your house smoke-free

Keeping your baby away from smoke is important for keeping their airways clear and healthy. If you smoke, make sure that you smoke outside your house – away from your baby – and that you remove your jacket before holding your baby.

Follow these tips to keep your baby’s sleeping environment safe, reduce the risk of SIDS, and ensure that you get a great night’s sleep.

Our top tips for choosing a bed size

Posted on by lionel

There are many situations that create the need for a new bed. Maybe you and your significant other are moving in together for the first time, or maybe you’re a parent, and you noticed your child’s feet hanging off the end of their bed. These are just a few of the many events that will inspire you to start shopping around. When this time comes, you’ll have to answer the question “What bed size should I get?”

Considerations when choosing a bed

  1. Who will be sleeping in it?

To help narrow down your options, let’s first think about who will use the bed. Is it for you and/or your partner, a child, guests that come to visit, or someone else? Think about how many people it needs to accommodate.

  • Children and teens can easily sleep on a single mattress, though often appreciate the width of a double or queen mattress.
  • While double mattresses can suit an adult or guests in a pinch, it’s often more comfortable to offer a queen mattress in case two people need to sleep on the mattress. If deciding between the two, let your room size be your guide (see below).
  • Singles and smaller couples find they have plenty of room on a queen mattress. One helpful hint: this size is often the most common in retail showrooms, so you can easily judge its size by visiting a retailer near you.
  • King mattresses are good options for taller people or for couples who prefer extra room, especially if little ones like to hop into bed with mum or dad.
  1. How much space is available?

Next, how much space do you have? This is obviously very important as the bed will need to fit comfortably into the room where it will be used. Consider the amount of space required for comfortable living, factoring in clearance for doors and drawers, walking around the perimeter of your bed frame and other furnishings., and leaving enough room to rotate your mattress without hitting walls. About 75–90 cm clearance or more on 2-3 sides is ideal.

  1. How much can you spend?

Like any major purchase, you need to set a budget. Beds can range widely in price depending on a few factors. As can be expected, the larger the bed, the more it will cost. However, you will run into other variables including the craftsmanship of the bed and the quality of the mattress. To ensure you find the right fit, run the numbers and identify your spending allowance up front.

  1. What are your current and future needs?

Lastly, be sure to consider your current needs as well as your potential needs for the years to come. For example, you may be thinking of purchasing a Single bed for your child. However, a few years down the road, they are likely going to outgrow it and need more room. With that in mind, you may want to consider a Three Quarter or a Double. This can help you to save money in the long run.

Bed size options

Below are mattress measurements for each Sealy bed size. It can be helpful to get an understanding for how a bed will fit into your room by marking out the dimensions on the floor using tape. Then you will be able to visually see which sizes will fit well.

  • Single – 915mm x 1880mm
  • Three Quarter – 1070mm x 1880mm
  • Double – 1370mm x 1880mm
  • Queen – 1520mm x 1880mm
  • King – 1830mm x 1880mm
  • Extra length (2000mm) is available on request

Interesting fact: Two adults sleeping in a double bed is really quite a squeeze. The width of a double bed is 1370mm, which means the shared space for each adult is much less than what they would have if they slept alone in a single bed (915mm).

Whether you want to buy online or try out a bed in store, the Sealy website is the best place to start. Use our Handy Store Locator to find the Sealy retailer closest to where you are, or Click Here to shop online offers.

 

Could a new pillow help me sleep better?

Posted on by lionel

Pillows can help or hinder a good night’s sleep, depending on your sleep position and the quality of your pillow. Your pillow helps keep the head, neck and back in a neutral position while you sleep. If your body isn’t aligned while you’re sleeping, you might wake up frequently during the night and/or wake up with body aches the next morning.

What is my body’s “neutral position”?

Your body is in a neutral position when your spine is straight and your head isn’t tilted too far forward or too far backward.

When it comes to comfortable sleep, remember that pillows are not just for your head and neck. Sometimes additional pillows under your legs or pelvis, etc. can help keep your spine in a comfortable position.

What new pillow should I choose?

Pillows are available in a variety of materials:

  • Down
  • Foam
  • Memory foam
  • Fibre
  • Latex

Sealy is world-famous for our exclusive mattresses made with Sealy Posturepedic Technology™. However, you might surprised to discover that we also have a full range of “top of bed” products that includes pillows, linen, and mattress and pillow protectors.

With the summer months finally here, you’ll be excited to know about Sealy’s innovative Gel pillows. There’s the My Coolsmart Gel Pillow, which has a refreshing gel layer that reduces heat buildup, and the My Gel Pillow, which is made with gel-infused memory foam. Both pillows are made with adaptive memory foam and covered with Tencel material, which provides good moisture control and is naturally breathable and cool.

Your sleep position will help determine what type of pillow to purchase. If you sleep on your side, you might need a firm, thicker pillow to help keep your back aligned. You may also want to consider putting a pillow between your knees for less strain on your hips.

Sleeping on your stomach puts strain on your lower back. Raising your head with a pillow might add more pressure. It’s often better for this sleeping style to sleep with your pillow under your belly or pelvis.

Back sleepers usually do better with a medium-thick pillow to keep neck, shoulders, and back aligned. Also, it may be more comfortable to put a pillow under your thighs.

When is it time to replace my pillow?

The average life of a pillow is six months to three years, depending on its material. Inexpensive, polyester-filled pillows should be replaced every six months. Memory foam options will last approximately 18 to 36 months.

These are other signs that might indicate it’s time to get a new pillow:

  • Your pillow is lumpy and it can fold in half
  • You wake up with a stiff and/or sore neck
  • Your allergies act up at night – this could indicate dust mites in your pillow. (Gross, I know!)
  • You’ve recently changed your sleep position
  • You wake up sweating. If you’re a hot sleeper, invest in a pillow that stays cool throughout the night. These are usually memory foam or latex pillows. The Sealy Coolsmart Gel Pillow has a soothing cooling gel layer that provides a cool-to-the-touch sensation.

 

5 tips for managing exam stress

Posted on by lionel

2020 has been a strange year, and for matrics getting ready to write final exams soon, it must feel like the twilight zone. After a year of some combination of hybrid learning, home schooling, attending regular classes and sometimes not having class, South Africa’s grade 12s are buckling down to face exam stress and hopefully put this final year of schooling behind them.

Exam stress effects each student differently. Some relish the challenge and are able to stay focussed, some feel totally overwhelmed and can’t concentrate, while others struggle with anxiety and lack of sleep. We’ve rounded up a few top tips to help matric students get through this final matric exam season:

How to better navigate exam stress

Tip 1: Manage your time

Let’s first be clear about the following key points:

  • Make a flexible timetable to organise your work
  • Cover all topics in your schedule
  • Put the difficult subjects at the top of your list
  • Aim for a practical set of deadlines

Once you have organised your time according to your tasks, figure out how much time you need to invest in your studies. Taking that hour-count in mind, you can make the rest of your daily schedule. Remember to include time out for relaxation, exercises, etc.

Follow a routine and trust in your abilities but allow for some flexibility. You can avoid last-minute stress if you’re diligent from the start.

Tip 2: Try out mock tests and papers

Ask your teachers or search online for past matric exams. Write those tests within a certain time frame, just as you would a real exam. Not only will this help boost your confidence, but it will also help you identify any areas of work you need to focus on.

If you can’t access online tests, work with friends to create your own tests and test each other. Creating the tests and then answering the questions under “manufactured pressure” (i.e., simulating an exam environment with time constraints) will help you consolidate the knowledge further.

Taking mock-tests in the initial phases of preparation has two additional benefits:

  • It conditions you for exam pressure
  • It reveals your speed of writing

Tip 3: Maintain a balanced diet

It might be tempting to indulge in stress eating and grab a pack of Doritos or a big slab of chocolate, but a balanced diet is more important than ever during exams. Your brain needs enough energy to function properly.

The human body responds to exam stress by releasing cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone. It increases your blood pressure and your heart rate. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is known to help lower cortisol levels. Pay special attention to increase protein intake, eat less sugar, and keep hydrated.

Tip 4: Less social media

Ever start scrolling on your Instagram feed and end up clicking on one video, watching the next one, and the next, and the next… until it’s an hour later and you don’t know where the time went? This is the procrastination that comes with social media. Can you really afford to waste time like that during exams? Also, scrolling through photos and videos of your friends out having fun while you’re stuck at home study can create serious FOMO and you don’t need to add that to your exam stress.

Yes, down time is important, and sometimes mindless scrolling is exactly what the doctor ordered. But you’ll have to make sure you’re disciplined. Set an alarm to let you know when your time is up. If you don’t think you can be that disciplined, consider deleting your social media apps from your phone or installing an app that blocks particular sites.

Tip 5: Make sleep a priority

If you don’t relax your mind, it will be harder to retain new information – so make sleep a top priority during exams. A growing body of research shows the connection between good sleep and grades, impacting memory and problem-solving skills.

You may have heard that you need to get eight hours of sleep, but when you’re talking about sleep, the quality matters as much as how long you sleep. Deep sleep (also known as stage 3 and 4 sleep) is when your body reaches the deepest state of relaxation, helping you to wake up feeling refreshed. During deep sleep, your body regenerates cells and repairs tissues and bones, and your immune system is strengthened.

If you don’t have a comfortable mattress, you might struggle to fall into a deep sleep because your body simply can’t relax. You might end up tossing and turning, keeping your body alert. If you are waking up tired all the time, you might need to consider investing in a new mattress. Sealy’s zoned mattress made with exclusive Posturepedic Technology™ support the heaviest parts of your body, providing you with deep, targeted support for exceptional all-over comfort.

Sealy Posturepedic Technology™ supports your sleep by providing:

  • Pressure relieving comfort for undisturbed sleep: from ultra-plush to cushion firm, built with premium materials.
  • The support you need: deep-down orthopedically correct support with a superior edge support system.
  • A system where everything works together to give you the same great comfort and support for a long time: extra durability that repays your investment day after day.

You’ve got this

These are unusual times, and Coronavirus has added a layer of stress in almost everyone’s lives – and especially for matrics who are dealing with exam stress. However, what you need to remember is simple. With consistent efforts, you can get through this.

Give yourself time whenever you feel drained out and don’t forget to remind yourself that this phase will pass soon. We trust your abilities and wish you the best for your examinations!

 

 

 

Working from home? Read these tips for staying productive

Posted on by lionel

Coronavirus has many of us working from home, juggling home life and work life in a way we never have before. It can be challenging to remain focussed and productive when distractions such as children or that series you’re addicted to or the possibility of a nap are always at the back of your mind.

If you are working from home, first send a thought of gratitude to those members of our society – our essential workers and others – who are simply unable to work from home. Next, let’s talk about how you can get a great start to your day and stay productive while working from home, because we wouldn’t be surprised if remote working becomes the new norm well after Covid-19.

Tip #1: Set a consistent schedule – and that includes breaks

You will be more productive if you set a regular schedule for yourself. This means waking up at the same time every week day, and setting times to start and stop work. Don’t forget to schedule regular breaks as well. Productive people plan times to step away from their work, which allows them to rejuvenate and feel ready to tackle their tasks again.

Tip #2: Make lists, lots of lists

When working from home, you can become overwhelmed with work, home, and family tasks. A great tip is to start putting all your projects into lists. A list gets your thoughts out of your head so you can focus on the task at hand. Have checklists for the different aspects of your life, from projects around the house to work to family needs. Then, when something pops up, you can add it to the list, and keep working on the task at hand.

Tip #3: Don’t forget about self-care

Yes, we acknowledge that “self-care” might be a bit of a buzz word at the moment, but there’s a reason for that! One of the best ways to stay productive for others is to take time out of your week to do something for yourself. Giving yourself this gift takes some stress out of the current situation, and when you take care of yourself, you can take care of others.

Tip #4: Get enough sleep

The key to being productive is getting enough sleep. Sleep is important for your performance at work because it helps with learning and problem-solving. When you don’t get enough sleep, you might not be able to focus and you might even feel extra stressed and irritable, and lacking in motivation.

Sealy sleep tips

  • If possible, try not to work from your bedroom or in bed. Keep work and bedtime separate, so your bedroom always feels like a place where you can escape, unwind and relax.
  • Soak up some sun in the mornings. Being cooped up inside the house all day can mean less time soaking up valuable Vitamin D. Exposure to the bright natural light of the morning helps you sleep better and lowers feelings of depression and anxiety.
  • Be smart about napping. It certainly is a real temptation when you work from home! If you have trouble falling asleep at night, limit naps to 15 to 20 minutes in the afternoon.
  • Exercise during the day. The tougher your workout, the better impact it has on your sleep. However, try not to do vigorous exercise two hours or so before bed.
  • Limit caffeine and nicotine during the day, cut back on sugary foods and don’t drink too many alcoholic beverages close to bedtime.
  • Establish a good bedtime routine. Wind down before bed with a long, hot bath, some meditation, reading, etc.
  • Create the optimal sleep environment. Keep your room cool and dark. Use comfy pillows and inspect your mattress. If your mattress has lumps in it, if it’s squeaky or if it’s sagging in places, it’s probably time to invest in a new bed. Mattresses should ideally be replaced every eight to 10 years.

In times of high stress, one of the smartest things you can do is invest in a good quality mattress so you can enjoy deep, restorative sleep. The technology that goes into every Sealy mattress has one important purpose: To enable the best sleep quality. Years of research and development go into each design, which is based on the foundational principles of orthopaedic support. This means a Sealy mattress is able to offer spinal support, which allows your muscles to relax, and also offers targeted pressure relief so that you don’t toss and turn during the night in an effort to get comfortable.

If you think your mattress might be interfering with your quality of sleep, spend some time browsing the Sealy range on our website. Our sleep research and sleep tech development is constantly evolving so if you haven’t bought a bed in the past 10 years, you’re missing out on our latest innovations and the chances are you’re also missing out on a mattress that offers next-level comfort.

Remember that not everyone’s home situation is the same. When it comes to working from home, what works for others might not be the best for you. However, when good quality sleep becomes a priority, you will find that not only can you handle stressful situations better but you’re also more productive, resilient and patient.

 

A Sealy adjustable bed: The Rolls Royce of beds

Posted on by lionel

Adjustable beds are becoming increasingly popular as more people discover their many benefits. In addition to comforts such as varied head and foot positions, a wireless remote control, massage options, and much more, an adjustable bed can help increase blood flow, decrease snoring and add optimal support for sore joints and other ailments.

Adjustable beds were initially associated only with hospitals and health care, however that has changed significantly and these beds have evolved into luxurious and stylish additions for any home. If you’re serious about sleep, then investigate the benefits of an adjustable bed. They’re like the Rolls Royce of beds.

If you suffer from any of the following, an adjustable bed could make the world of difference:

  • Chronic pain
  • Shoulder arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Discomfort from recent back or neck surgery
  • Can only really get comfortable in an inclined position, such as when seated in a recliner

The ability to adjust either the head or foot of the bed, or both, and to sleep inclined with a steady level of support can help ease discomfort and facilitate better sleep. For those who suffer from osteoarthritis, sleeping slightly inclined and with the right support can help minimise joint compression and provide a more comfortable sleep.

Adjustable beds can also improve blood circulation, help minimise snoring, and provide optimal support for sore joints.

The Sealy Posturematic Adjustable Power Base comes with a wireless remote, the option to programme custom positions as well as pre-set TV and zero-gravity positions. Other features of this world-class bed include a powerlift motor with a 270kg lifting capacity, LCD clock, alarm function, flashlight, indirect lighting, free-fall design safety feature, and a dual, variable-intensity massage function.

What is the “zero-gravity” position?

The zero-gravity position is often associated with adjustable beds – it’s one of the greatest benefits of these beds – but it was NASA who identified the benefits of this sleep position. This position is used to support the spines and bodies of astronauts as a spacecraft leaves the earth’s surface.

In zero-gravity, the head is raised slightly, and the knees are slightly bent as the legs are raised to about heart level. This position encourages relaxation as gravity is evenly distributed throughout the body.

 

Are you tired but can’t sleep because of partner disturbance?

Posted on by lionel

Is your partner’s night-time behaviour keeping you up at night? Tossing and turning, snoring, frequently waking up and even mismatched bedtimes could result in you waking up several times a night. If you feel tired but can’t sleep because of these night-time disturbance’s, continue reading because we have some tips that might help.

Recurring sleep disturbance is one of the most common complaints of couples who share a bed, with women being the most frequently disturbed. These four tips will help combat those disruptive nights:

  • Buy a bigger duvet

Fighting over the covers – especially during winter – can leave you irritable, COLD and awake! The solution is buy a duvet that is bigger than your bed. It means there’s more duvet to go around and you can also tuck it under your mattress to help keep the duvet in place.

  • Stop the snoring

This is a tricky one to address. Snoring is caused by a combination of lifestyle factors such as poor diet, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol before bed. Snoring can also be influenced by sleep position, so if your snoring partner is sleeping on his or her back, try to convince them to sleep on their side. There are also anti-snoring devices and pillows you can invest in.

  • Consider a “sleep divorce”

Many couples report that sleeping in separate rooms has not only improved the quality of sleep but also their relationship. This is not surprising when you consider that a lack of sleep can make a person irritable and irrational. Of course, if you choose to sleep in different bedrooms, it’s important that you make the additional effort to keep the intimacy in your relationship.

  • Invest in a new mattress – or two

It’s worthwhile considering investing in a new mattress. If your mattress is old with broken springs and sagging foam, not only does it interrupt your sleep but you will also feel all your partner’s movements.

Sealy mattress technology has changed and developed so much over the years and if you’re sleeping on a bed that’s 10 years or older, you might be pleasantly surprised by the comfort levels available now. For example, the Sealy la difference mattress range features  the PostureTech PRO encased Coil-in- Coil inner spring system which adapts constantly and subtly to your weight and body shape as you move in your sleep. While this doesn’t totally eliminate partner disturbance, it does minimise it greatly. Click here to find out more about the la difference mattress range.

Another option is to have two different mattresses on the same bed. Then you can still sleep in the same room, and have different comfort levels and you won’t be disturbed by your partner tossing and turning.

 

Note from CEO